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Rocket Science in Everyday Life

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Rocket Science in Everyday Life

This course is part of Rocket Science 101 Specialization

Instructor: Aaron Ridley

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

14 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

14 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand how different satellite systems help support our everyday life, such as weather and GPS satellites
Understand the difference between asteroids and comets, and describe the ramifications of different sizes of objects encountering the Earth
Describe how spaceships far away from the Earth can get places, what that should look like, and what forces the people on board would actually feel

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

15 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Rocket Science 101 Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

We encounter the results of rocket science all the time; from weather prediction to GPS navigation, rocket science has helped navigate our world in new, innovative ways. Rocket Science in Everyday Life explores innovations in rocket science, including the formation of space agencies, like NASA and the European Space Agency, that work to advance rocket science. Learn how satellites are used to track climate changes across the globe and how rockets have taken us to worlds beyond our own. Examine the scientific motivations and methods for planetary exploration to see beyond our solar system. End the course with some cinematic magic and examine how movies and TV use rocket science to create exciting worlds - even if they don’t always get the science behind it right.

Module details

Welcome to the first week of Rocket Science in Everyday Life! This week, we will learn about the science being conducted by NASA and other space agencies around the world. We will start by identifying these space agencies to recognize their general missions. Then, we will comprehend the structure of NASA and how it does science. Finally, we will identify NASA Earth science missions and comprehend the crucial role of Earth science satellites. Let's get started!

What's included

5 videos4 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 72 minutes

Welcome to the Rocket Science in Everyday Life Course2 minutes
Space Agencies Around the World15 minutes
NASA Structure16 minutes
Earth Science Satellites20 minutes
Heliophysics19 minutes

4 readingsTotal 22 minutes

Syllabus7 minutes
Help Us Learn More About You!5 minutes
Optional & Recommended Resources: Get to Know More About The Science being Conducted by NASA5 minutes
Optional Extra Resources: Science Being Conducted by NASA5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes

Week 1 Quiz: The Science Being Conducted by NASA15 minutes
Knowledge Check: Space Agencies in the USA and Around the World10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Earth Science Mission10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Meet your Fellow Learners 5 minutes

Welcome to the second week of Rocket Science in Everyday Life! This week, we will embark on a thrilling expedition through our solar system to understand the fascinating worlds beyond our planet Earth. We will learn about exploring planets in our solar system and beyond. Throughout this module, we will gain a comprehensive understanding of the scientific motivations and methods behind planetary exploration. Let's get started!

What's included

10 videos6 readings3 assignments

10 videosTotal 114 minutes

Missions to Mercury11 minutes
Is There Anybody Out There?15 minutes
Missions to Venus8 minutes
Missions to Mars—Part 111 minutes
Missions to Mars—Part 28 minutes
The Voyagers and the Deep Space Network13 minutes
Missions to the Outer Planets: Jupiter13 minutes
Missions to the Outer Planets: Saturn & Pluto11 minutes
Seeing Beyond Our Solar System15 minutes
One More Thing for This Week: Why Pluto is Not a Planet9 minutes

6 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Drag & Drop: Missions to Mercury & Venus5 minutes
Mission to Mars: Extensive Summary15 minutes
Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More About Mars5 minutes
Check your Knowledge on Voyagers, Jupiter, Saturn & Pluto5 minutes
Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More About How and Why We Explore Planets5 minutes
Optional Extra Resources: How and Why We Explore Planets5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Week 2 Quiz: How and Why We Explore Planets20 minutes
Knowledge Check: Exploring Mercury, Venus & Mars10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Exploring Outer Planets & Beyond10 minutes

Welcome to the third week of Rocket Science in Everyday Life! This week, we will explore the science of transportation and bust some myths we learned from movies. We will distinguish between the imaginative creations of science fiction and the current state of scientific understanding and technological development. By examining what movies get right and wrong about transportation, we will foster a deeper understanding of the scientific principles at play and explore the potential future possibilities in transportation technology. Let's get started!

What's included

11 videos4 readings5 assignments

11 videosTotal 146 minutes

Jet Packs: How They Work?10 minutes
How Much Fuel Does Iron Man Need?11 minutes
How Teleportation Works15 minutes
The Millennium Falcon Problem11 minutes
Gravity in Space16 minutes
Faster Than Light Travel: Relativity13 minutes
Time Dilation & Travelling Faster Than Speed of Light8 minutes
Is it Possible to Travel Faster Than Light?5 minutes
Interstellar Travel: Is It Possible?10 minutes
Light Sabers and Blasters14 minutes
Bonus & Optional | One More Thing for This Week: Best and Worst Sci-Fi Space Battles32 minutes

4 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Knowledge Check: Relativity, Time Dilation & Travelling Faster Than Speed of Light5 minutes
Drag the Words: Interstellar Travel5 minutes
Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation5 minutes
Optional Extra Resources: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation5 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 55 minutes

Week 3 Quiz: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation15 minutes
Knowledge Check: Jet Packs and Iron Man10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Teleportation10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Combat in Space (Millennium Falcon)10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Light Travel, Sabers, and Blasters10 minutes

Welcome to the fourth and the last week of Rocket Science in Everyday Life! This week, we will explore the science of destruction in movies. We will start by exploring the impacts of asteroids and comets. Then, we will explore the science of preventing asteroids and comets from impacting Earth. By separating fact from fiction, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the real-world challenges and strategies involved in safeguarding our planet from potential impacts. Let's get started!

What's included

10 videos5 readings4 assignments

10 videosTotal 93 minutes

Introduction to Week 4: Raining Destruction From Above!5 minutes
Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors11 minutes
Identifying Near Earth Objects (NEOs)9 minutes
Predicting the Orbits of NEOs11 minutes
Sizes and Destructive Power of NEOs15 minutes
Mitigation Strategies in Preventing NEOs8 minutes
Example of Mitigation Strategies in Preventing NEOs13 minutes
NASA's Dart Mission7 minutes
Optional & Bonus | One More Thing for this Week: The Best and Worst Asteroid Destruction in Movies11 minutes
Course Wrap-Up2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 25 minutes

Knowledge Check: Identifying Near Earth Objects5 minutes
Knowledge Check: Mitigation Strategies5 minutes
Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More About Asteroids and Comets5 minutes
Optional Extra Resources: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Destruction5 minutes
Post-Course Survey5 minutes